A $100 million initiative called AgResults has been rolled out in Kenya to stem postharvest losses. The project will work with entrepreneurs with the financial capability to develop cost-effective storage facilities and distribute them to the farmers. The project is funded by the UK, US, Australia, Canada, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. http://mobile.nation.co.ke/business/Firm-launches-Sh8-7bn-fund-to-stem-post-harvest-losses/-/1950106/1998356/-/format/xhtml/-/10361nuz/-/index.html
Archive | Africa
RSS feed for this sectionFood Wastage in Cape Happens After Harvesting
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Most “food wastage” in Cape Verde, an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean, occurs in postharvest stages, especially processing and packaging. The country lacks adequate postharvest facilities to support market needs. http://www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2013/09/18/food-wastage-in-cape-verde-happens-after-harvesting/
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Accra Brewery Donates Towards Farmers’ Day Celebrations
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Accra Brewery Ltd. delivered their annual donation of products to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for the National Farmers’ Day celebrations in December. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Managing Postharvest Losses”. http://business.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201309/113322.php
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Company License Storage System That Deters Insects
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Farmers in West and Central African nations could benefit economically, socially and nutritionally using a crop storage system developed by researchers at Purdue University and licensed to Kano-based Lela Agro Industries Nigeria Ltd. The PICS system uses special triple-bagging technology to protect cowpeas in storage against weevils, an invasive insect. http://agrinews-pubs.com/Content/News/Markets/Article/Nigerian-company-licenses-Purdue-crop-storage-system-that-deters-insects/8/26/8295
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Mitigating Aflatoxin Exposure to Improve Child Growth in Eastern Kenya
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A project by the International Food Policy Research Center (IFPRI) seeks to identify and utilize postharvest and storage technologies to reduce aflatoxin exposure, and studies the impact of reduced exposure on child nutrition. The project will take place in 65 villages in Eastern province, Kenya. http://www.ifpri.org/publication/mitigating-aflatoxin-exposure-improve-child-growth-eastern-kenya
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Young Kenyan Woman Named Recipient of 2013 Borlaug Field Award for Scientific Biological Breakthroughs Combating Deadly Grain Mold
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Kenyan food scientist, Dr. Charity Mutegi, is honored for her efforts in reducing aflatoxin contamination in Kenya. Mutegi is leading the development of a biocontrol product used to fight off aflatoxins in maize. The award is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, and administered by the World Food Prize. http://www.worldfoodprize.org/index.cfm/24667/25372/young_kenyan_woman_named_recipient_of_2013_borlaug_field_award_for_scientific_biological_breakthroughs_combating_deadly_grain_mold
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CSIR, MoFA Initiate New Technology to Produce Bakery Products
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The Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana has initiated a project meant to develop technology to make composite flour out of various crops including cassava, sweet potato, maize, sorghum, millet, and others. The project aims to reduce dependence on imports of wheat flour, improve food security, and cut postharvest losses. http://www.ghanabusinessnews.com/2013/09/04/csir-mofa-initiate-new-technology-to-produce-bakery-products/
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Running a Farm Business From Your Phone?
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A Kenyan company has created an app that tracks deliveries from farm to market. The app, Agrimanagr, monitors inventory, supports mobile payments, and weighs out products with information on the cloud. http://www.bloomberg.com/video/running-a-farm-business-from-your-phone-6gEsyI5YS6u8rYZeomaPtQ.html
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Agriculture Needs Technological Solutions
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A former Kenyan government official remarks on Rwanda’s progress in leveraging technology to improve agricultural productivity. The introduction of the East African Commodities Exchange (EAX) allows farmers access to trade and financing through use of electronic warehousing receipts. Farmers have greater access to markets, and postharvest losses are reported to have decreased by 5%. http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Opinion+and+Analysis/Agriculture+needs+technological+solutions/-/539548/1971484/-/a7ohef/-/index.html
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Focus On: Building Infrastructure in Africa
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This Farming First blog post highlights the urgent need to improve infrastructure in Africa, where less than 50% of the rural population live close to adequate roads. Authors point to better infrastructure as a key means to reducing postharvest losses. http://www.farmingfirst.org/2013/08/focus-on-building-infrastructure-in-africa/
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